AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Yaroslava Shvedova was chosen as the WTA's Comeback Player Of The Year for a reason in 2012 - she went from outside the Top 200 all the way to the Top 30 again, in fact setting a new career-high of No.25. So how does one follow up that kind of a career season?

"This year I had longer pre-season training," said Shvedova, who plays the ASB Classic in Auckland this week. "I did a lot of speed and power training, which is something I needed to improve.

"Pre-season training is important because it's the base for everything for the new year. When there are no tournaments I can work very hard with my coaches on fitness and strength exercises, and also work on making adjustments to my game in practice. It's the best time to get stronger and fitter and better."

Shvedova had some breaks here and there in the off-season, though there were still some tennis-related matters sprinkled in between. "I didn't get much time off because I was very busy getting all the visas I need to travel in 2013 - I was like a secretary during the off-season, doing so much admin work!" Shvedova said. "I stayed some days in Moscow with my family and played with my little niece Zoya. She was born in May and I haven't seen her much so that was very nice. When I was in Kazakhstan I went to Borovoe with friends for a few days. It's quite far out of the city so it was nice and relaxing."

And how does the Kazakh No.1 feel about this part of the season? "I love New Zealand and Ausrtalia and I'm always happy to come here," she commented. "I love the atmosphere and people here. It's always very exciting to finally start to play tournaments again after the holidays and pre-season!"

And Shvedova also kept up her love for photography in the last two months, producing her sixth Slava's Shots gallery (click here to view Slava's Shots, Vol. VI, or click on the image below!)

And here are the first five Slava's Shots (Vol. I, Vol. II, Vol. III, Vol. IV and Vol. V).